Page 21 of Getting Hitched

Jeremiah shook his head when he saw the first picture, but when Gray showed him Williams, he nodded. “That’s him.”

“That’s the man who owns the warehouse?”

“He told me he owns it, said he bought it from Big H.”

“Who’s Big H?”

“The guy that used to own it,” Jeremiah said, giving Gray a wow-you’re-dumb look.

Gray decided not to push that any further.

“So as far as you know, this man owns the warehouse?”

“That’s right, and he uses it to stash drugs that he delivers to some homeless shelter where dealers pick them up.”

“How do you know about that?”

“Because I listen.”

Gray studied him for a moment. “Where do you live?”

Jeremiah waved his hand. “Around. Over there.”

“You seem to know an awful lot about this warehouse.”

“Not much else to do around here but watch what goes on.”

Gray could think of numerous things other boys in the neighborhood did, all less healthy than watching your neighbors. “Do you think your mom knows anything else about this man?”

Jeremiah shook his head.

“She doesn’t watch people like you do?”

“Nah, she—” His voice cracked. “No! Okay? She doesn’t.”

“Tell me where you live, Jeremiah.”

“I don’t have to tell you nothing,” he insisted.

“Can I talk to your mother?”

“No.” Jeremiah turned away so Gray couldn’t see his face. “Nobody can talk to her now.”

Shit. “Did she leave town?”

“She’s dead, okay?”

“Are you living in this warehouse?”

Jeremiah didn’t say anything.

“Would you like somewhere better to live?”

“I don’t need your fucking charity. I?—”

He started to flee, but Gray grabbed him.

He beat at Gray with his fists. “I knew I shouldn’t trust you. I knew it, but… I thought… If Mama had just…”

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